Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Little Rock

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Little Rock? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

42 bar and table at The Clinton Presidential Center

4.9

4.9 (1008)

$30 and under

American

Little Rock

About the restaurant

42 bar and table, the Clinton Center’s onsite restaurant, offers diners a delicious blend of local favorites and internationally-inspired cuisine. Come enjoy our acclaimed food and outstanding service in our dining room or on our patio and terrace, which offer unparalleled views of the Arkansas River and the lighted Clinton Presidential Park Bridge.

Top review

Lorine

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

The Manager and Staff was great, the food was great, and the Server, Amber was top tier!!

Capeo

4.8

4.8 (487)

$31 to $50

Italian

North Little Rock

About the restaurant

~Fine Italian Cuisine ~ Open Kitchen ~ Wine Cellar ~ Full Bar ~ Free Parking ~ Trolley Stop #1 ~ Casual Dress ~ We Sell Gift Cards ~ Reservations Recommended ~ We Proudly Make Everything In-House ~ Online Take Out and Gift Card Orders ~
Ristorante Capeo, Est 2003, is an authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of the Argenta Arts District in Downtown North Little Rock, Arkansas. Families are welcome to the friendly and historic venue where they can experience a taste of truly authentic Italian Cusine . Our menu offers mainstay items that include wood-fired pizzas, Classic and Signature Antipasti, Homemade Pasta Dishes and Entrees, all made to order in house. For a wholesome and balanced experience at Ristorante Capeo, we have a nice wine cellar with hundreds of labels to satisfy all budgets and a full dining bar. The cozy atmosphere of the 130 year old building and top notch experienced staff serving the best Italian food in Arkansas make your dining experience beyond reproach.

Top review

Jacob

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Flawless service and amazing food! Definitely recommend for intimate date night

J&S Italian Villa

4.8

4.8 (311)

$31 to $50

Italian

Hot Springs

About the restaurant

Inspired by the coastal cuisine of Cinque Terra, J&S Italian Villa is a fun and trendy dining experience located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. With seasonal menus crafted by 2-Michelin Star Chef Sascia Marchesi, you’ll enjoy unique and flavorful dishes featuring pasta made from scratch, seafood, steak, and fresh local produce.

Whether you’re interested in a date night for two, a special gathering in our private Red Room, catering for your big event, or simply relaxing with drinks and appetizers in a chic bar and lounge, J&S Italian Villa proudly provides attentive service in a welcoming atmosphere.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

We were greeted by friendly staff and seated right away. The server was very knowledgeable about the food and was very professional while also being friendly. Food was excellent and looked beautiful.

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Popular dish

Caprese Salad

Popular dish

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Popular dish

Fettuccine Alfredo

Petit & Keet

4.8

4.8 (947)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Little Rock

About the restaurant

Jim Keet and Louis Petit have collaborated to present a polished casual restaurant and bar for Little Rock. This culinary-driven restaurant offers a variety of menu items including dishes crafted by renowned local chefs and use as many local products and ingredients as possible. Petit & Keet features a full bar with specialty drinks, cocktails and a signature bar menu. With a fresh redesign guests can enjoy an outdoor patio and bar, and also an event room for private parties.

Top review

Arthur

Dined 7 days ago

Great food! Excellent service. Will be back soon.

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Experience

Late Night Happy Hour!

Cypress Social

4.8

4.8 (1341)

$31 to $50

American

North Little Rock

About the restaurant

Cypress Social is a new lakeside American eatery.

Walk-ins welcome! Please call the restaurant if reservations do not appear available online.

Top review

Kamille

Dined 7 days ago

My family and I were there to celebrate my father's 8th birthday. I made the reservation online, which was super easy. We arrived about 10 minutes before our scheduled reservation and were seated immediately. Our waiter Austin was amazing. He was very pleasant and accommodating. He made great food recommendations. The appetizers came out quickly and the food shortly after. Each order was correct and the food was hot. We were there the night before the snow started and it was extremely cold outside, I was worried that it would be cool inside but the temperature was just right. They even had a fireplace screen saver on the TV which was a nice touch. We have a GREAT time. Again, our waiter Austin was GREAT and we even received a visit from the manager checking to ensure everything was good. We will definitely visit again.

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YaYas Euro Bistro in Little Rock

4.8

4.8 (45)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Little Rock

About the restaurant

YaYa's Euro Bistro is a charming restaurant nestled in the heart of Little Rock, offering a delightful culinary journey through Europe. Step inside and be transported to a world of warm ambiance, friendly service, and exquisite cuisine.

Hand-tossed, oak-fired pizza & other Mediterranean eats are served at this woodsy-chic bar & eatery.

Top review

Tegan

Dined 3 days ago

Food is great, server was nice. We actually made a comment how the music was not too loud.

The Grumpy Rabbit

4.7

4.7 (485)

$30 and under

Contemporary Southern

Little Rock

About the restaurant

Our vision for The Grumpy Rabbit is to serve both Lonoke residents as well as people from surrounding communities and visitors passing through town. We want Lonoke to thrive and be prosperous and believe that leading by example and running a successful business will attract others to the area and inspire similar investment. Our hope for The Grumpy Rabbit is that as an anchor for revitalization, it will become a central location that draws foot traffic to historic downtown Lonoke. Additionally, as we employ both full-time and part-time staff, we are excited to bring new families to Lonoke, and know they will love the area as much as we do!

Top review

Mark

Dined 4 days ago

We love the grumpy rabbit! The food is always delicious and the service is always great.

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Popular dish

Award-Winning Carrot Cake

Volstead Proper

4.7

4.7 (64)

$31 to $50

American

Conway

About the restaurant

Executive chef and partner, Steve Binotti, is a culinary graduate form Kendall College. Steve began his career in Chicago at David Burkes Primehouse and later worked with Virgin Hotels. He was voted 2021 Executive Chef of the year in Arkansas, after crafting menu items for Petite and Keet, as well as Cypress Social in Central Arkansas.
Come be inspired by our smokey flavors of your favorite bourbons and hone into the inspiration that curated our menu, filled with interesting ingredients, unique flavor pairings, and new twists on some southern classics.

Top review

Larry

Dined on Jan 7, 2025

Amazing menu options, drinks were amazing. The porkchop and mashed potatoes simply the best. Will be back again and again

Riverfront Steakhouse

4.6

4.6 (1662)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

North Little Rock

About the restaurant

The staff of the Riverfront Steakhouse pride themselves in serving prime steaks prepared using a special process which results in a distinctive flavor. Most customers agree our steak is the best they have ever tasted. The atmosphere at the Riverfront Steakhouse is elegant and relaxed and the service is second to none. The Riverfront Steakhouse is an excellent choice for parties, entertaining business associates or a romantic dinner for two.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

We love the steakhouse. It’s our go to place for special occasions. The food and service is always outstanding. We went last night and my wife had the lobster and I had the Delmonico ribeye steak, and it was all amazing. The manager is always very attentive to customer needs.

Capital Bar and Grill

4.5

4.5 (219)

$31 to $50

Southern

Little Rock

About the restaurant

The Capital Bar & Grill may be the embodiment of Capital’s Southern Comfortable culinary vision focusing on provincial comfort food with a particular emphasis on the bounty of Arkansas. The tools of the bar include the most sought-after liquors, mixers and ingredients. In sort of a back-to-the-future twist, it has been a devotion to handmade classic and custom cocktails (the Aviation vs. the Cropduster) that has established Capital Bar as a nationally-regarded spirits destination. All this said, we strive to create a fun, relaxing experience for all of our guests: The friendly atmosphere is especially suited to business lunches, after-work drinks and get-togethers, as well as special date nights.

Top review

Sarah

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Perfect lunch from staff to food!! First time to try the S’more dessert and it is fantastic!!

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